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This is actually a really cool idea. I don't have a million links readily available, but I will put a few well-knowns out there for everyone. TY Vike Daddy.

Shaun Rogers is on his way out, the only question is where and for how much, many articles seem to value him in the 2-3rd range, but it seems nearly inevitable the answer is:

Jonathan Vilma is being actively pursued by the Detroit Lions. Although not nearly as effective recently, the former pro-bowler and young yet MLB would seem to be a great fit in the Tampa 2 defense

Roy Williams is not on the block, offers will be listened to, but unless they are incredible he will remain a Lion, if we can't get a deal done, there is always the franchise tag, and we can't afford for Roy to go because:

Shaun McDonald is on the block. The most likely place would seem to be the 49'rs because Martz requires receivers that know his system, and McDonald led the Lions in receiving last year in Martz' system, the value would appear to be a 4rd, but those of us in Lions land are praying for a 3rd

Our needs before we get started appear to be DE, CB, MLB, RB, OT, FB, and possibly a pass catching TE, we have Dan Campbell for blocking and Sean McHugh may be serviceable as a passing down specialist, but if a good one falls in our lap, it may be hard to pass up:

The Lions have shown interest in Alge Crumpler, my personal feelings is he will not come here, but he has been contacted

I may come back to check on this and update, but that is the important stuff for now. How about a thread in the Lions forum for you guys?_________________

Draft_FanAddict wrote:

If that doesn't concern you, I don't know what would...a missing head?

Last edited by FootballPhreak on Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:35 pm; edited 1 time in total

I would add that in my opinion we need a pass rusher above and beyond anything else. A John Randle or Robert Porcher is needed in Detroit to help drag this defense out of the dregs.

Rogers isn't a high motor guy and at 350+ would be better suited as a nose tackle in a 3-4. He sits on the sidelines all too often. He's going to be traded and there's reports out of the combine that many teams are interested.

The quarterback situation hasn't been settled as there are reports that our 2nd round pick Drew Stanton will be given the green light to compete with Kitna this season. Kitna's 36 in September so we're all hoping Stanton matures into a capable leader this season or the next.

Our corners are the weakest link. Our one solid starter when healthy is Fernando Bryant, and he is dissatisfied that the Lions haven't cut him yet according to reports. He thinks the Lions want him out anyways and the sooner the better so he can move on. T-Jack in his 2nd game and Favre in both games made our Dbs look non-existent.

If we re-sign Woody our RT situation may be solved as he switched to the position late in the year and surprisingly proved he could be a good RT.

We're somewhat lost in RB land as to what the Lions might do. Jones when healthy is arguably a good back. However we had to suffer from Martz's unwillingness to run the ball and Jones suffered a season ending knee injury late last year. We could draft a back early if we don't resign Tatum Bell or TJ Duckett.

Here is an interview with GM Matt Millen from Friday, February 21st that addresses pretty much everything Detroit is rumored to be involved with so far this offseason and what directions they may go later on. It covers pretty much everything FootballPhreak listed as well as some things he didn't as well as some "interesting" answers from Millen. Enjoy.

Here are a few of my favorite excerpts:

Quote:

Q: What do you think of Mike Martz?
A: “Mike did a lot of good things. He gave us something to build on.”

Q: Did you fire him?
A: “Why is that such a big question all the time?”

Q: Because it hasn’t been answered.
A: “I thought he answered that already.”

Q: He said Thursday he was fired. But the Lions have not said he was fired or that he resigned.
A: “No. I understand.”

Q: Are you holding out hope you can get something for Kalimba Edwards?
A: “Or get something out of him.”

Q: Can you do that?
A: “That’s yet to be written. I’ve listened for that. But he’s under contract. If Kalimba plays up to what he’s capable of playing – and there were spurts of that, too. …

“What do you want me to tell you? That, ‘Oh, sure, we’re going to trade him.’ It takes two to trade. Or, ‘We’re going to cut him.’ Why would I cut him? He’s under contract. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Q: Why are other teams cutting guys?
A: “I don’t know. You’d have to ask them. It depends on the guy. Maybe they’re old or maybe they’re whatever. I don’t know.”

Quote:

Q: Rogers often doesn’t seem to live up to Marinelli’s standards. How can you keep Rogers and keep Marinelli’s credibility?
A: “The operative is ‘often.’ If we were going to say after the halfway point of the season, ‘What are you going to do with him?’ What would you guys have said?”

Q: If you keep him, how do you get him to play well the whole season?
A: “Things would have to change, obviously. There’s some things that would have to change, the least of which would be his conditioning.”

Q: Will you give him a weight target?
A: “Yeah, of course.”

Q: Was he fined for being overweight last year?
A: “No, wasn’t fined.”

The Lions have big-time needs at OL, DT and CB, more so than at DE. They're actually in a pretty good spot because the draft is deep in OTs or CBs. One of the really good ones should slide to their spot in the 1st, and there should be a pretty good player available in the 2nd as well.

The Lions screwed up big-time last year in taking Calvin Johnson instead of trading down with Tampa Bay. They could have had Adrian Peterson and an early 2nd and early 3rd. Johnson may yet turn out to be the best receiver in the game, but it's no good having two stellar receivers if you can't build a team around them.

Ever work with one of those guys like Millen, that no matter how poorly they do their job, seem to get promoted, get raises, whatever? I think it goes to show that a posititve attitude and nice enough personality will get you a lot farther in life than any degree of skill or knowledge will. (And obviously, looks will do the same for the female gender.)

The guy was a good player, he was a good broadcaster (whatever that's worth), and seems like a nice enough guy, but how in the name of all that is sensible does he still have a job as president and CEO in this league? I know, he's gotten some good players in the last couple of drafts, but even a blind squirell gets a nut now and then. Puzzling .

Rod Marinelli has made major roster changes since coming on board, hasn't he? something like close to 60% of the Detroit roster has changed over in his time.

is this a good thing? will it lead to long term gain?

I think the best answer to this question will be based on Marinelli's length of tenure.

He has attempted to change the atitude of the locker room by moving out players that are selfish or display attitude. In keeping with the old statement," there is no I in team," players are now being referred to as Marinelli guys.

He values work ethic and attitude above talent and openly accepts responsibility for the teams success and failure.

Is it a good thing? Yes. Instilling the proper beliefs and behaviours grounded in team responsibility is a recipe for success in the corporate or sporting world. It removes the petty grievances that are so harmfull to morale. Knowing the guy beside you will go the extra mile for the team provides inspiration and is contagious.

It will have long term gain provided Marinelli remains coach for a long enough period. Changing culture in either a team or corporate structure takes time, dedication and constant review and assesment. While the most obvious change happens on the playing field these same behaviours have to be adopted throughout the organization to be truely effective.

I believe most Lion fans believe this is a watershed year for Marinelli. The team has to continue to show improvement or he may not get another season to work with. Personally I believe that would be a mistake. He appears to be the real deal and I would like to see him have sufficient time to fully implement his changes._________________

Changing culture in either a team or corporate structure takes time, dedication and constant review and assesment. While the most obvious change happens on the playing field these same behaviours have to be adopted throughout the organization to be truely effective.

The Lions, looking to become more of a physical running team, could be in the market for RB Julius Jones. Jones might get a bit overlooked in free agency after sharing the load in Dallas, but he could fit what the Lions need at the position.

They just released Fernando Bryant. I know they probably already have a deal with Kelly worked out but Kelly is older and why not keep Bryant? The Lions are screwed again.

I know, doesn't make sense except that Kelly is another "Marinelli guy". But, Kelly is 32 and has played 13 games combined the past two seasons. Doesn't seem like an upgrade, more of a lateral move that could be a downgrade by the end of the season._________________